A man walks into a church carrying a gun. Calm, polite, and cooperative. Minutes later, police are detaining him over disturbing online posts and a Bible burned the night before. Officers make contact after receiving a call about a possible threat. The man explains he was asked to leave and is already doing so. When asked, he admits he is armed and legally carries a firearm. Officers inform him that weapons are not allowed on church property and instruct him not to reach for the weapon. He apologizes, saying he didn't know the rule. For safety, officers secure his firearm and detain him while they investigate further. >> Hey sir, how are you? Can I talk to you outside a minute? >> Yeah, sure. Sure. >> All right, cool. How are you today? >> Uh, I'm feeling good. >> Sure. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> What's happening? >> Uh, he uh >> Let's go over here if you don't mind. Well, he uh he wants me to leave. So, I am I showed him my ID. >> Okay. And I I am actually leaving now. >> Okay. Can I talk to you? >> No complaints. >> Can I talk to you over here, man? Yeah. >> What's going on? Are you armed today? >> Um I am. >> Are you armed today? >> I am a legal carrier. >> Come on over here. >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. >> Whatever you want to know, you know. >> Are you armed though today? Are you carrying with you right now? >> I always carry. >> Okay. Your carry? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So, if you want me I I I can leave the premises. I don't have to, you know, come back or or, you know, anything. >> You have a concealer. >> Yes, I do. I I can show you. I'm going to reach I'm going to reach into my wallet and >> Okay. Where's your weapon? >> Uh, it's on my right side. Can I put this on the ground? >> Say again. Yeah, you can put the Yeah, put the coffee down over here. >> I'm shuffling around. >> Yeah, that's fine. Well, the reason why I got called is I got a I got a call about you coming to the church >> that there was uh some type of possible threat or something. >> No, no. Here's my ID and then you wanted to see that. So, maybe I should take this off, too. Yeah, sure. >> Yeah. >> So, >> do you mind just pulling your jacket up so I can see where you're Can I >> Yeah, you don't want to have a check. Okay, >> that's okay. You You can seal it if you want. >> Technically, you can't have a weapon on church property. >> It's not allowed unless you're authorized by the church. >> Yeah, you can't carry on church property. >> Concealed, not not when it's shown. >> Correct. >> Anytime. >> I'm sorry about that. I did not know. >> You don't know? >> I did not know. I thought >> you had to take a test to get this. I thought you can't enter government buildings in >> you can't have a weapon on church property or school property at any time whether it's a weapon or not. >> I didn't know that. >> Okay. >> Just don't reach for your weapon at all. >> No. No. >> If you will, I will take action. Do you understand that? >> I understand that. >> So, how did I get contact with you today? >> I think >> Why am I contacting you today? >> I think I I don't know. Um I think it was because we were talking, right? He's stacked. >> No. I got an alert from Fairfax County about you coming to the church. Did you make a threat to the church? >> No. >> That you're going to >> I did not make a threat. >> You didn't make any >> I did not make threat to I sent an email uh to I think Mark asking for a donation refund. >> Mark who? >> I don't know his last name. >> Okay. >> Mark somebody as part of >> the church. >> Yes. I asked for a donation refund and they returned it to me. So >> Okay. >> They returned it last. >> So why are you here today then? because I want to see what it's like again to be here. >> Okay. So, you made a donation, you requested a refund back >> because Yeah. I feel like the relationship was kind of ruined >> where here at the church. >> Yeah. Because I got very angry. Not not that kind of angry, but I got, you know, in my email I said as I was actually very grateful um at first um early on >> and that's why I started making donations 10% of every paycheck. Um, and it was an automatic donation, but on the bottom of the paper, you know, 90day tithing challenge, tithing challenge, >> it said if you know, if your life doesn't improve after 90 days, ask for your refund. So, what happened was nearly the next day after my first donation, >> you know, life started going downhill really fast and I I don't know, the next a couple of weeks about a couple weeks later, I got a very bad infection that almost went to my eye. I got laid off from my job. This and that. And >> how does that deal with the church, though? >> It's it's a spiritual thing. Like it's it's kind of like, you know, it's not a direct connection, but I felt like, you know, even people that I've met, they said, "Oh, I I was sent by God." Or or people would say these, you know, spiritual things to me, and then I kind of make an indirect connection. So, I think, okay, well, now I want my refund back and they sent it back to me. Now I think I feel like because I got my baptism here >> first time ever. My friend Gary introduced me here you know back in April. So I thought well this relationship is kind of you know gone downhill. So you know that's I'm here. I want >> He has a weapon on his right side. >> Yeah. I showed them everything. >> Okay. >> So that's the story. >> So what's your intentions today? >> Who did you send a message to on Instagram? >> Instagram? Yeah. I didn't send anybody a message on I didn't send a direct message to anyone on Instagram. >> Okay. >> It's not a very active account. So, >> it's not a very active one >> account meaning I I'm not, you know, usually on there to >> to just, you know, but at the same time, you know, I there are some things that I even write in my computer or something. It's not really me. It's more like, you know, I work on video games. I work on short stories. I work on science fiction stories. Some of that, you know, might have a graphic or vi violent nature. If you look in my emails, I you know, these are >> Let's not block the sidewalk. Let's go over here. >> So, I I'm not, you know, >> I I can explain anything, and I can provide any documentation, you know, anything like that, but >> So, >> police question the man about reported threats. He denies threatening anyone, but admits he burned his own Bible inside his home the night before. He explains it was an emotional and spiritual reaction during a depressive episode, not a threat toward the church. Officers remain concerned due to how his actions appeared online. >> Did you make any statements online or otherwise that you're going to burn the church or burn the Bible? >> Okay. that I did burn a Bible and that was my Bible >> where >> in my house in the in the kitchen sink >> but I made no threats as in I'm going to burn you know somebody's Bible or I'm going to say I'm going to do such and such action to No >> I as you said before I don't even know some of these people I I don't even think I met Mark but I think but he was just >> how do you know Mark then you know Mark >> yeah because I I don't know I don't remember his face but because I attended online uh lectures >> what does he like >> I don't remember. I know he's white. I don't remember what the other >> Does he have hair? No hair? >> I don't remember. I just I just have that as his email um in my I think he contacted me and said something about Jesus a while back. We had a good relationship, you know, with the church and everything. Um when you know everything started going downhill, that's when I started making you know indirect connection. >> Do me a favor. Do you mind if I secure your weapon for a minute? >> Yeah, go ahead. >> Okay. >> Do what I have for my safety. I have a knife right there too. >> Okay. Just don't reach anything. >> I'm not gonna I was trying to >> keep your hand up where I can see. >> I was just trying to >> just hold yourself still. I'm just going to secure this until we're done. Okay. >> Do what you got to do. >> Okay. >> Do what you got to do. >> All right. Just sit tight. >> Do what you got. >> You have anything else on you? I'm going to pat you down for my safety. >> Did you get my knife? >> I got I got it. >> Did you get my knife? >> Yes, I have your knife. >> Okay. >> All right. Yeah. Go ahead. >> Actually, just leave him the way he is. I got his weapon. He's good enough right now. I'm going to detain you until I figure out what we have here. Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Just sit tight. Be safer for you and safer for us. Okay. >> Yeah, that's fine. Whatever you need to do. >> You're not under arrest. You're just being detained right now. >> One of you have a Can I grab one of your cages for a minute so I can set them in there >> and I'll pat them down? >> I'll get it for you, sir. >> I got it. Something good. >> Oh, you can really >> Well, that I'm sorry. I did not know. I'm sorry. I totally >> exactly what I knew. >> Hi. Can I uh can one of you bring uh yours? >> That's my cell phone. That's my cell phone. >> That's my cell phone. >> You want to put them in your >> I'll put him in yours. >> Really? Sorry about that. I do not. >> No problem. You got an extra round. >> That's not going to do any damage anyway cuz you have my weapon. So, I didn't >> Do you mind uh standing by my car real quick and just set those with the other stuff? >> Anthony, just pull up right next to me. minor possible damage to the >> What do you have in your car? Do you have anything in your car? >> Well, now that you mentioned that, there is one round of uh magazine. I always keep one in my car. Maybe a pepper spray. >> Um >> I'm going to just sit you in here a minute. >> Okay. >> Am I under arrest? >> I said you're contained. You're not under arrest. >> Okay. >> But I want to sort what we have here. >> Okay. You don't have anything else on you. I'm going to take these off you. You take that. >> Sorry, I forgot about that. Let me think about I don't think I have anything. You sure? >> I'm Those are my >> Yeah, I'm going to hold on to these. >> Yeah, that's not a knife, by the way. It looks like >> You have anything else? >> I don't think so. And sometimes if I'm anxiety now, I just I don't remember. >> You ever thought about hurting yourself or anything? >> I am on >> No, hurting myself. Not as not as much in the past, more so, but >> thought about hurting others? >> No. A couple maybe a two months ago, I was on anti-depressants. >> Okay. Have you thought about hurting yourself? There were times where, for example, when I had an infection where I thought, you know, damn, I I this is a pretty bad life. But >> how long ago was that? >> Uh maybe a month ago. >> Okay. >> Um >> did you talk to anybody about this? >> Yeah, I not really. No therapist. I didn't want to really bother my family or anyone else with this stuff. And you know, >> so have you come here today to >> for any reasons to hurt anybody or yourself? >> No. You come to a church armed and you're not on the security team and you're not working with me. >> I go to a lot of places armed, so I can't really >> Okay. Well, you have to know where you can and can't carry arms. >> That I should. >> Correct. You should know that, correct? Yes. >> If you're concealed weapon. >> All right. Just sit tight for me. Okay. >> During a safety pat down, officers find a firearm, a knife, and additional items. A governmentisssued ID is discovered in his wallet. The man says he previously worked as a government contractor and was recently laid off, claiming the ID is expired and awaiting return. What's that? >> Oh, okay. Here's the here's the thing he's talking about. >> Oh, yeah. >> And he didn't have one in the chamber. He works for the government. He's a contractor for the Navy. What kind of car is it? >> It's a twodoor Mercedes coupe. What's this? What's this? Is this like a AirPod touch or >> Air Tag? >> There wasn't one in the chamber, but he had two magazines. >> So, this would be considered for all intents and purposes religious need, correct? >> Huh? >> Sir, what is this? >> Huh? >> What is this? >> Oh, that's a tracker for my wallet. >> Okay. like an air tag. >> Yes. You want to know some of some some things that I've said and some >> You work for the government? >> I did. But >> so how long ago? >> To since um I was laid off on August 17th. >> Why do you still have an ID? >> That because I am waiting for them to collect it. >> Huh? >> I'm waiting for them to collect it. That was actually from a previous employer. I sent them an email, my security officer, a while back. This is expired in a week. >> I'm not using that. >> Some of the things I probably said to friends or family, I'm really just asking for help. I It's kind of a call for help. >> Okay. It looks like you want some help. >> Yeah. >> You want to go see a therapist today? >> Uh, see, that's the problem. I don't think I can afford that. >> Okay. Well, we can get we can get you. >> Maybe tomorrow. I have >> You want us to Would you want us to have you talk to one? It appears to me that you're asking you want to talk to somebody today. >> I can get you there. >> I I don't >> Maybe I should just contact my family. >> 124. Do we have a co-responder working by any chance today? >> You know, I've never hurt anybody. You can look at my background. I've never hurt myself. >> I have had, you know, depressive episodes in the past and they were pretty bad, but even then I never hurt anybody. So, you can check my background. You can check everything. >> All right. Give me a minute. Church representatives tell officers the man is not authorized to carry a weapon on church property and request that he not be allowed back. Officers begin trespass paperwork while documenting the incident. >> So our fu I want my money back. Uh I'm going to get a copy of that. My wife passed. >> How long ago was it? >> Uh one or two days ago. >> Okay. >> It might have been Friday >> cuz we got this through Fairfax about and they gave us a description of a car >> but not color and the tags and then here he is. He's in the church. Hey there. >> Hey, how you doing? >> The code. >> All good. >> The code >> the code doesn't allow for someone to carry on your property unless good reason and he doesn't have a good reason. >> And it's your property. >> I'm assuming you don't want him here anymore. >> Uh, no. >> With the >> So, do you want us to trespass him? >> Yes. >> On top of everything else we're going to do. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> We'd like for you to have his home defense. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Well, he he >> you never can tell what he's been doing. Did he have a conceal? >> See, you volunteered to come in. >> I'm a magnet. >> No, >> that's Did he have a concealed? >> Yeah, he has a concealed permit. Okay. >> But not in the state of mind that he's in. >> Yeah. >> No. >> Yeah. >> That's right. >> Thank you very much. >> Yeah. So, let me sort through this real quick. All right. >> Um before you run, let me get a trespass form so I can get >> We could start that. We'll start with trespass. We'll work our way up. >> At the station, the man is read his Miranda rightites and agrees to speak. He explains his emotional state, admits posting troubling content online, and says his actions were never meant to threaten anyone. Detectives continue investigating to determine whether charges are warranted. >> I do have to kind of read your your Miranda rights. I don't know if you've seen them on TV or anything like that. >> Um, not really. Not too much. >> Okay. So, basically, I'm just going to read you four things and then you can tell me if you still want to talk to us after that. Okay. >> Sure. >> Okay. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. You have the right to consult with a lawyer before answering any questions and to have a lawyer with you during questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you free of cost if you want one. So, hearing all those rights, do you still want to talk to us? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, can we just start by kind of getting your full name and information? Um, >> uh, first name is, uh, Ruie. That's R U I. >> Okay. >> Last name J. J I A N G. >> And what kind of brought you to the church this morning? >> I wanted to come see what was going on. I kind of wanted to mend relations. I wanted to see what God had in store for me. It's it was kind of a spiritual thing. Um the events leading up to this I can explain. Um because I sent I sent I think one of the pastors, Mark, a message about uh wanting a refund. And um the reason that we kind of were at were trying to talk to you to begin with this morning is because somebody had pointed us to your social media postings and had some concerns about exactly what was going on with you. Can you kind of explain to us? >> Looking looking back, I should not have posted that. Um and definitely not publicly. Um, when I posted it, I did not think it it my intention was not to scare anyone or cause terror. So, I'm sorry about that. Um, I that really was not my intention. Um, so there are I would say there are multiple motivations behind posting it. Um, some of it might, you know, make sense. Some of it might seem crazy and if it does, you know, I be happy to elaborate. Um, so after it it kind of everything kind of happened all at once. Um, first it was I made the donations which I was very happy to make. I didn't gloat about it. I didn't tell family about it and I was I was happy to make it. Um, and then but I remember reading there was something on the on the the 90-day tithing challenge, the donation challenge that I caught and it was and it said, you know, if it works out for you, great. if it doesn't work or something like if it doesn't work out for you, ask for a refund. I thought, well, why would we ever need to ask for a refund? As soon as I made the donation the weeks after, which isn't a long time, I would say things started falling apart, which have no relevance to the church. It's not like they came down here and got me sick, right? That's impossible. Sending a message to my supervisor, you know, saying, "Hey, you know, I recently got depression." I don't remember I I did not send her anything hostile because or anything bad because she was somebody who had written a glowing recommendation for me that I still have. So there's no reason for me to you know be mad at her or have any you know hostile feelings towards her. So I I I remember I was going through a very depressive period that morning. Maybe I should have you know been smarter and you know not sent that. Um but you know because it was a professional environment but I I think um you know when I sent that I was terminated. So then things started really going downhill. So around that time I got a very nasty unexpected tooth infection around here um that I had to do uh that my dentist uh had to send me over to a surgeon because she said it was going to spread to my eye and cause blindness. So okay. So we had to go in and cut that out in that morning. Um and then of course later there was you know I would say just relationships and there was a a a period of long-term I would say loneliness that caused my depression. I would say that would have been the biggest factor towards depression. Um and then when things accumulated um that you know accumulated into other things into me sending a message to my supervisor you know saying hey you know I recently got depression I I don't remember I I did not send her anything hostile because or anything bad cuz she was somebody who had written a glowing recommendation for me that I still have. So there's no reason for me to you know be mad at her or have any you know hostile feelings towards her. So I I I remember I was going through a very depressive period that morning. Maybe I should have, you know, been smarter and, you know, not sent that. Um but, you know, cuz it was a professional environment, but I I think um you know, when I sent that, I was terminated. So then things started really going downhill. So it got to a point where I thought not anybody at the church, okay? because there is no one at the church that would, you know, that would cause me to lose my job. Why would they do that? I was donating to them. I mean, that that would be cutting them, you know, the donations off, too. So, my posts were kind of, let me rewind a bit and say one of the motivations to my posts. I thought I was speaking out loud to God. Get on my knees, you know, alone in my in my room. Um, and then I would put my head down for about an hour and I would pray out loud to God. You know, there was a whole series of things I would say, you know, gratitude and and this and that. So, I would do that on religious for for days and weeks um after I joined that church. >> Mhm. >> So, I so prayer and then after a while I stopped praying because I thought well in a way I kind of got mad at God, right? So, um, or I would even say all of these posts was kind of a way to just scream out loud at God. I already burned a Bible, which also I I posted a video of me setting a Bible on fire in my kitchen um in a pot. >> When did that happen? >> Uh, I think it was yesterday. >> Okay. >> So, perhaps, you know, I and perhaps I really think it was a big misunderstanding. It was kind of me praying a very angry prayer to God. Not anyone specific, but I needed, excuse me, I needed a point of reference cuz I I because they need Instagram needs a picture posted. >> So, I needed a point of reference. I didn't want to just post any picture of anything cuz that doesn't make sense. And if there is a god up there, they're not going to understand it. So, I know if it sounds crazy, but it was more of just trying to call out and say, "Hey, God, why are you doing this to me? Why is my life like this?" It was a way for me spiritually to yell at God, whatever that is up there, you know? >> So, that was um this time it's just my nature to like to feel armed. Um sometimes, you know, it's probably a false sense of security. is, you know, especially there's um so but I'm terribly sorry for bringing a weapon on the church grounds. I did not know we could not do that. It's not I mean like concealed in that way. So um not just the church. Um so some of these posts were meant to be were made in a comedic way. I know it's hard to believe, but I made a post saying that George Bush is my grandson. Um, but it's but it's also kind of saying, "Hey, you know, I'm really going through a lot of pain here." Um, but it's but it's kind of like also like trying to make it in a justful way. >> Sure. >> You're going to be taken to the ADC. Um, the detective down there is going to talk to you, but you're going to be charged. Okay. She'll explain what the charges are. for me this way. After reviewing the statements, social media posts, and evidence, officers decide how to proceed with the case. The man is formally trespassed [music] from the church property, and the incident is documented for further review. What began as a quiet church visit ends as a serious reminder of how emotional distress, online activity, and weapons can quickly turn into a police investigation.